For Senate Bill 335 to move forward, the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Affairs Committee, Rick Niemeyer (from Lowell), must hold a committee hearing for the bill. This must take place by February 20th. We desperately need residents of Senator Niemeyer’s district to call or email his office and ask him to hold a hearing for this climate action bill!
District 6 includes southern Lake County, Newton County, western Jasper County, and Benton County.
Senate Bill 335, authored by Shelli Yoder, Ron Alting, and Jon Ford, is Indiana’s first step toward taking action against climate change. It would create a task force of legislators and experts to develop climate solutions for Indiana. To read the bill:
Senate Climate Bill 335If you want to send an email, send it to s6@iga.in.gov and Steven.Bergsma@iga.in.gov (his assistant). The email does not have to be long—it can just be one paragraph! You can also call his legislative assistant (Steven Bergsma) at 317-232-9489.
Here are some things to include:
- First, introduce yourself as a constituent living in his district. Mention where you go to school/what you are involved in if you are a student.
- In the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, Purdue University has documented the effects of climate change that Hoosiers are experiencing. These include increases in flooding, increases in extreme heat, and decreases in crop production. The cost of doing nothing is far too high for Hoosiers!
- Mention why you personally care about climate action. Maybe you are passionate about Indiana’s agriculture, public health, air quality, or natural areas, or maybe you are a young person who just wants a healthy future.
- Ask Senator Niemeyer to hold a committee hearing for SB 335 in the Environmental Affairs Committee!
To learn more, listen to 219 Green Connect’s interview with Rahul Durai.
Still have Questions? Text Rahul Durai (W. Lafayette H.S. student and Confront the Climate Crisis leader) at 765-701-8472.